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Kootenai National Forest fire update |
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September 13, 2017 |
This is the September 13 fire update on the
fires that are burning on the Kootenai National
Forest. The Gibralter, Weasel, Caribou, West
Fork Moose Peak, and Highway 200 Complex fires
are detailed below.
The Gibralter Ridge Fire is 10,443 acres and
still at 27 percent containment. The fire
continues to burn in the Williams Creek area.
The fire also moved within two miles of the
Whale Creek drainage on the Flathead National
Forest. The Flathead National Forest fire crews
wrapped the Ninko Cabin for structure
protection. Hand crews will be brushing along
the Grave Creek Road and will remain in the area
to mop-up and patrol for hot spots.
The Weasel Fire is still estimated at 869 acres
and zero percent containment. The fire is
actively burning in thick Subalpine Fir near
Tuchuck Mountain and has spread toward Weasel
Lake. Weasel Cabin and dock were wrapped for
fire protection and no private property or
structures are threatened.
The Caribou Fire is at 23,187 acres and still at
30 percent containment. Firefighters and
equipment operators will focus on finishing fire
line on the north side of Marias Mountain, and
from Young Creek west towards Lime Creek. On the
west side of the fire, firefighters and heavy
equipment operators will continue to build
indirect line in the Blacktail Creek area north
to the Canadian border. Air support, including
helicopters and Canadian water scoopers, have
dropped approximately 141,000 gallons of water
on active fire areas. Fire managers continue to
coordinate with Canadian fire officials.
The West Fork Fire is estimated at 14,827 acres
and still at zero percent containment. A 20 acre
spot fire several miles northeast of the West
Fork Fire is being monitored by air. Burnout
operations and helicopter drops have helped hold
the fire along Quartz Creek Road. Additional
engines and personnel were added for structure
protection in the Pipe Creek area. More
personnel have been ordered to assist in line
construction and burnout operations.
Please visit the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
Facebook page for the latest on
pre-evacuations.
The Moose Peak Fire is estimated at 8,830 acres
and still at zero percent containment. Several
spot fires are burning actively and helicopters
were able to perform bucket drops in the area to
control the lines. The Miller Creek Fire, which
is located 2 to 3 miles south of the Moose Peak
Fire, is burning north towards the Moose Peak
Fire. Structure protection and burnout
operations will continue in the fire area.
The Highway 200 Complex fires, which includes
the Sheep Gap, Deep Creek, Cub Creek, Readers,
and Miller Creek fires, total 24,225 acres.
These fires are at varying stages of
containment. The Reader Fires are now 95 percent
contained while the Sheep Gap Fire is at 40
percent containment. Crews will continue to
mop-up and patrol the Reader Fires and those
resources are being deployed to the Cub Creek
Fire.
There is still no report of containment for the
Deep Creek, Cub Creek, and Miller Creek fires.
Structure protection assessment and
strengthening existing containment lines will
continue to be the priority.
All of the fires within the Highway 200 Complex
experience increased fire behavior. In several
areas, spot fires ignited in thick timber and
fuels, producing large plumes of smoke. A
confine and contain strategy is being
implemented due to steep, inaccessible terrain
and heavy fuel loading. Firefighters and heavy
equipment will be used to construct and improve
existing containment lines. Structure protection
remains a priority in the fire areas.
Pre-evacuation and evacuation warnings for
affected residents are being coordinated by the
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office.
The weather forecast calls for cooler
temperatures in the coming days. Winds gusts up
to 25 mph on the ridgetops and 15 mph in the
valley bottom are expected. Smoke will be
visible as areas within the fires continue to
burn. For more smoke information please visit
www.todaysair.mt.gov.
Stage II Fire Restrictions remain in effect for
Lincoln County and Kootenai National Forest due
to extreme fire danger and the Kootenai Forest
is looking at larger area closures around the
fire areas. Firefighter and public safety remain
the top priority.
Current fire conditions can be found at
www.firerestrictions.us. Go to the Kootenai
webpage at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai for the
latest on Closure Orders, Kootenai Forest fire
maps, and other fire information. The
information on the Gibralter Ridge, Weasel,
Caribou, West Fork Moose Peak, and Highway 200
Complex can also be found at
https://www.inciweb.gov. |
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